The Royal Ballet is to follow in the footsteps of rock giants such as Bon Jovi and Led Zeppelin by playing leading music venue the O2 Arena in London.

The world-renowned company is to present four performances of Romeo And Juliet next June, marking the first time it has performed at a UK arena.

And ballet chiefs are trying to keep costs down to make it a more inclusive affair by offering 2,000 tickets for each show at just £10 each.

The shows will feature an all-star cast including Carlos Acosta, Tamara Rojo, Alina Cojocaru, Johan Kobborg, Edward Watson and Mara Galeazzi. In addition to the main four shows over three days, there will be a performance solely for younger fans.

The entire ballet - normally based at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden, London - will move to the O2 for the shows. Tickets will have a top price of £60 and front row seats will cost as little as £10.

Dame Monica Mason, director of the Royal Ballet said it was thrilling to be able to introduce their work to a new audience.

"Romeo and Juliet is one of the greatest ballets in our repertory and it will be both exciting and challenging to present it in this vast venue," she added.

Royal Opera House chief executive Tony Hall said: "This opportunity fits perfectly with our commitment to ensuring that as wide an audience as possible is able to enjoy live performances by The Royal Ballet at affordable prices."

The shows are being staged in association with impresario Raymond Gubbay who earlier this year staged the first opera at the O2. He said: "The four performances provide a marvellous opportunity to develop a whole new audience for ballet."

Tickets will go on sale on December 5 for the shows which take place on June 17, 18 and 19 next year.